RE: Lottery in Singapore and China

Oh dear me! Another exciting draw in Singapore today. The totto or lottery is now up to S$5.5 Million already, how many more new millionaires would there be today.

Now compare with China or US, the lottery is a representation of size of population. The larger the size, the higher the pay out could be if the amount is rolled to the next draw. Whom wouldn't want to be an instant millionaire overnight, but how many would succeed?

Good luck to all for tonite's draw.

Review of upcoming movie "Shoot me up"

Just looking at the internet, found the reviews for the movie, "shoot me up" are really mixed.

For those interested, this action-packed flick starring Clive Owen and Paul Giamatti, is the perfect guy movie. The film has pretty of action, violence and foul language - all of which are essential for any normal guy flick. Owens is the hero of the film and in a plot kind of reminiscent of "Children of Men," which ironically also stars Owens, he becomes responsible for the life of a newborn after his mother is killed. Hence the need for the lactating prostitute.

Here are some of the review

1. Carla Meyer of McClatchy Newspapers, really hates "Shoot 'Em Up," calling it "overly stylized, ultraviolent and highly distasteful." Read more below.

2. Next up is Ms Connie Ogle of McClatchy Newspapers. Her comments are that the film was "frenetic" and "completely ludicrous."

3. While Colin Covert of the Star Tribune calls it "deliriously tasteless" and "shamelessly entertaining." Is it a coincidence that he's a guy?

So, guys make your own judgement on it. Catch it to see for yourself.

7th September 2007 Entry

Logbook Entry 07-09-07

What a surprise I got yesterday, My girlfriend still bought a learning guide to cantonese for me. The reason is that she wishes that I can learn cantonese to communicate with her friends and family. So it back to the books for me.

Interestingly is my procounication of wordings, seen to be so funny when you do not know how to say it. Anyway My girlfriend and myself got a good laugh from it.

Furthermore we bought a Canon ixus for S$469 with 2 2GB memory cards, camera bag and extra battery. So now, I am thinking of taking some shots and placing it on this blog for all to share. Anyway for those interested, they can still get it at Ang Mo Kio Hub, the promotion would end tomorrow.

You would be asking, am I getting a cut for promoting the above? No lah, just wants to promote a good deal to me for all to share.

As for my business opportunities, it is taking off at last. At one hand, It seen to be like I am a boss, but in reality, would be working for the investor. Wish my luck, guys.

And also for some news now, finally a breakthrough with the North Korean on the nuclear issue.

7 Points a Good Leader MUST Take Note Of

Here is something I wrote on EzineArticles

There is no fixed method of leadership in getting things done. Different situations warrant a different approach; a good leader should know when to change or adapt his style to the demands warranted by the situation.

My seven pointers to assist a leader in adapting to the situation:

1. Always have a vision (if possible)
Vision would allow one to know where one is going or what direction should he be taking. It is like a goal. Having a vision that can be shared and appreciated by your staff would enable a leader to motivate the staff in getting the goal achieved.

2. Do not focus on negative things
A good leader would not waste his time and energy in always looking for he negative aspects of things. He should instead try to see and find the positive or good in the bad.

3. Mood Management
As a leader, his or her words, nuance or gesture would be interpreted by all his or her staff or bosses. Hence any choice he or she makes would almost has an unintended side effect. Keep one's feelings or moods to oneself and let nothing out if possible.

4. Core Values Communication
A good leader would make sure that his or her values are evident to all stakeholders involved while being able to align values or policies of the organization to those of the employees.

5. Concentrate on the Big Picture
A good leader should always look at the big picture and think of it as the most important item. Losing sight of it would cause him or her to lose track of proceeding and could have serious effects.

6. Crisis Management
Crisis Management is critical to being a good leader. If a crisis can be handled without losing control of the situation, a leader would be able to shine then. He or she should never be overwhelmed by the scope of the crisis.

7. Stop Gossip
In the work place, gossip is always destructive and unproductive. Even listening to gossip and even worse acting on it would create workplace tension. Hence avoid listening or believing in gossip unless one witness for himself or herself the event in question.

With the 7 short points in mind, one can achieve good leadership. However, bear in mind, leadership is most effective as a partnership between employers and employees, and not being a solo show for the employer as the boss.

Hope that any reading this finds this useful

RE: Another Millionarie in US from lottery

It is always amazing that people in the US can win millions up to in this case of USD82 million from lottery. Truly, with a huge population, the windfall can be rolled up to these amount. In Singapore, I believe the highest amount is around S$10-S$12 Million.

And how they celebrate in the West as compared to the East are ways of different where in the east, everything is done in secret in hopes of not getting robbed while the west, press conference are the norm

RE: My blogger's friend, Ryan's Blog

Just added a new link http://ryan-style.com/ to my list of Interesting links and blogs.

He also shared my interest in writing our personal interest and experiences with all. Share in his thoughts with his blog.

A short Bio from his blog:

"About Ryan
Well, my name is Ryan Ishibashi. I’m 17, and currently residing in the small town of Hilo on the biggest island in Hawaii. I enjoy having fun, being with and making friends, relaxing, reading, listening to music, blogging, web design, graphics design, surfing the web, driving, photography, and trying new things.
If I chose one word to describe me I would chose “Different”. Different would be perfect for me, because I try my hardest to stand out from the crowd. I personally dread being “in the crowd”, I either want to be in front of it or on top of it. I guess I could also be described as one of those people that stick out like the color orange, in a gradient of gray. I’m there, and you can’t miss me."

4th September 2007

Logbook Entry 04-09-07

Finally I got things done with my partners after a long discussion in the morning.
Here is the gist. An organizational structure and job scopes would be drawn by me for all three of us and after which authority to approve payments would be discussed on friday. Afterwhich we would review together on friday and sign if all of us agree to it. Hence I spent my best part of the morning preparing my version 1.

Next up getting the phone numbers from our local phone provider. It is amazing that the numbers available all have the number 4 in them. Too many 4 are not good in cantonese as they mean death. Hence being into business ourselves, I had to choose the numbers with a lot of 8 inside (8 means prosperity in cantonese). You can call supersititous, but I would not want to take a chance in this business.

Interestingly enough, is that I got a call for an interview with one of the local health care provider. It is a strange call as I spent half a hour to 45 minutes talking to the person. Although it is an operational job, but I am caught in a dilema in which should I take it up and lose all my efforts in the new company down the drain.

My mum is of the opinion that I go and try it out. I am still pondering over it as I have until tomorrow afternoon to decide whether I want to go. Want should I do?

Anyway getting to my relationship with my girlfriend, at least she is more responding to my comments than the previous days where she was that pissed at me. Keep my cool at all times seen to be the answer to her indifference, but finally we managed to break the ice between us. That brings a smile to me as I have been trying to make it up to her since our last arguement.

Having said so, it is back to the drawing board for me to think or chew on: business on my own or business for others. What would you choose if you are me?